A Chinese research submarine has reached one of the deepest spots on the planet.

The Fendouzhe submersible has sunk to a depth of 10,909 metres in Mariana Trench, according to state-run news agency CCTV.

The Chinese Academy of Sciences says Fendouzhe has completed 13 dives into the deepest region on Earth, eight of which exceeded 10,000 metres.

It is yet to break the depth world record held by Victor Vescovo, a private equity investor who dived to 35,873 feet (10,934 m) on June 26 in his vessel Limiting Factor.

The researchers “overcame difficulties such as typhoons, rain and high temperatures” to complete the dives, collecting sediment, rock and biological samples from the bottom of the trench.

More details are available here.